GTA 6 Gets a 24-Hour YouTube Launch Livestream With 30+ Creators, Vice City Shorts Effect and Free Live Gifts

YouTube is turning Grand Theft Auto VI launch day into a full-day broadcast. On November 12, 2026, YouTube and Rockstar Games announced a 24-hour GTA VI launch livestream on the main youtube.com/youtube channel. It starts with a pre-show hosted by RDCWorld on the night of November 18, runs through release day on November 19, and comes with themed Live gifts, a Vice City Shorts effect and the official soundtrack on YouTube Music.

The 24-hour launch stream

According to the YouTube Blog, the plan is:

• Pre-show: RDCWorld hosts from 11 PM ET on November 18
• Main stream: 24 hours starting 12 AM ET on November 19, so it wraps at 12 AM ET on November 20
• Content: live gameplay, creator podcasts and original shows
• Finale: live on-the-ground coverage from Miami with creators and special guests
• Access: a GTA VI-themed YouTube logo ("Yoodle") on the homepage links straight to the broadcast

YouTube says the stream is produced with Entropico.

Who's streaming

YouTube names Caylus, Zhong and Kat, Jelly, Rivers, Jake Baldino and Cinna "and more". GTA BOOM counts more than 30 creators from over a dozen countries, such as JuanSGuarnizo in Mexico and Windah Basudara in Indonesia. Insider Gaming lists names from the X announcement, among them Loserfruit, GamerCosta and Kinda Funny Games. TalkEsport points out the Indian creators Total Gaming, Payal Gaming and Sharkshe, and notes YouTube hasn't said how long each creator will be on.

Stream times in your zone

In November, Ecuador (UTC-5) shares the same clock time as US Eastern Time.

Free gifts, Shorts effect and soundtrack

Besides the stream, YouTube is rolling out:

• Five limited-edition GTA VI Live gifts, including "Wanted Stars" animations that appear on screen during streams. Eligible viewers watching select creator streams can claim and send one for free while supplies last.
• "GTAVI: Visit Vice City", a Shorts effect with several Vice City backdrops for your own launch-week clips.
• The official GTA VI soundtrack on the YouTube Music homepage all launch week, including Morgan Wallen's "Last Thing You Need", next to a full GTA series anthology playlist.

Why YouTube is going this big

YouTube's own data shows the Grand Theft Auto series has passed 900 billion lifetime views on the platform. Pre-launch videos about GTA VI alone have topped 40 billion views. YouTube's Culture & Trends team also put out a report on the series' cultural impact the same day.

The stream is part of a launch push that keeps growing. Pre-orders have reportedly passed $1 billion, and Rockstar is throwing GTA VI: The Festival in Miami on November 21.

What's next

• Now: pre-load is live. See our pre-load and performance guide.
• November 18, 11 PM ET: RDCWorld pre-show on youtube.com/youtube.
• November 19: GTA VI launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and the 24-hour stream runs all day.
• November 21: GTA VI: The Festival in Miami.